On this episode of the Ending Human Trafficking Podcast, GCWJ Director Sandra Morgan and Board Member Dave Stachowiak discuss Sandra’s recent participation at the Commission for Social Development at the United Nations. As a panelist on the only human trafficking panel, Sandra engaged with world leaders looking at the intersection of economic and social development, an intersection where trade in human beings continues to thrive. Economnic and social development are integral threads in untangling the complexity of modern day slavery.

Sandra promoted the adoption of SDG proposals based on the 2010 California Supply Chain Transparency Act, (podcast #17) which requires any company with revenues over $100 million doing business in California to provide a supply chain audit to consumers. It is vital to link the market forces that drive human trafficking to the social development goals in order to craft policies that fuel long-term change.

The 53rd session of the Commission for Social Development at the United Nations spanned ten days of dialogue and debate to design policies that wed economic growth and social development agendas. Dozens of informative panels were offered to the delegates from 91 countries.

On this episode of the Ending Human Trafficking Podcast, GCWJ Director Sandra Morgan and Board Member Dave Stachowiak interview Alexis Miller, Coordinator of GCWJ. At the 2015 Ensure Justice Conference, Alexis and her student interns launched a special project called the Collaboration Challenge. The Collaboration Challenge is an interactive opportunity for people to actively get involved in their community. Using their talents, skills, and passions, attendees choose opportunities to get involved that fall into a 10-10-10 model – 10 minutes, 10 days, 10 weeks. Whether you have only a few minutes or want to commit your life’s work to end human trafficking, the Collaboration Challenge provides connections with organizations looking for people to impact their community. Tune into this episode to learn about what you can do to get involved and make a difference no matter how much time you have to commit to the fight to ending human trafficking.

What can youth do to impact the fight to end human trafficking? Dr. Sandra Morgan and Board Member Dave Stachowiak interview Ruthi Hoffman-Hanchett, a recognized children’s rights expert who served with World Vision for eight years. She specialized in teaching children how to advocate for themselves and building communities that support education and reduce vulnerability. Ruthi now serves on the Advisory Board for GCWJ and is the Coach for Live2free, our student mobilization team. Live2Free is a group of college students who go out into the community and give peer-to-peer presentations on modern-day slavery. The students are invited to present at high schools, middle schools, conferences, and youth groups in order to help educate and prevent human trafficking in local youth. Ruthi teaches and coaches the students how to be great leaders and presenters by increasing their professionalism and confidence as they go out into the community. Tune into this issue to learn more about Ruthi’s expertise, how youth are able to engage this issue in the community, and for those right here in Orange County, how Live2Free can come to your school!

On this episode of the Ending Human Trafficking Podcast, GCWJ Director Sandra Morgan and Board Member Dave Stachowiak discuss a special report written by Jenee Litrell of Grossmont Unified School District in San Diego. Litrell is adept at identifying kids who are potentially being trafficked or being groomed by traffickers. In her report, Litrell suggests methods and programs to further engage school based professionals and encourage community involvement. Anyone working with children or any environment where children are taking part in a structured activity has the opportunity to be involved.

The podcast discusses the protocols for suspicions of commercial sexual exploitation victims which involve the school resource officer, child welfare services, environment evaluation, safety issues, engaging with the victim, support services, and follow-up. The goal is to restore the victims and provide the resources and education needed to break the cycle.

There’s still time – Register for the Ensure Justice Conference today! Join us to discuss coordination, collaboration, capacity, and compassion on March 6-7, 2015.

On this episode of the Ending Human Trafficking podcast, GCWJ Director Sandra Morgan and Board Member Dave Stachowiak interview Deb O’Hara-Rusckowski, RN, MBA, MTS, a member of NGO Commission to Stop Trafficking in Persons at the United Nations. Deb works on the Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (GIFT) committee. Through a partnership with STOP THE TRAFFICK, the committee created the UN.GIFT Box program. A GIFT Box is a large, walk-in piece of public art that people encounter on the streets of the city. The GIFT box is a local, timeless exhibit that tells the local story of human trafficking by partnering with local organizations working in the anti-trafficking movement. The project is currently in Brazil, Slovakia and the United Kingdom and has the potential to roll out into other countries across the world. Tune into this episode to learn more about this special program. Will a GIFT Box come to your city next?

Don’t forget — Register for the Ensure Justice Conference today! Join us to discuss human trafficking on March 6-7, 2015.

What do you bring to the table? Slavery is a global issue with estimates of 20-35 million people enslaved today. With such a huge problem, what can you do? GCWJ Director Dr. Sandra Morgan and Board Member Dave Stachowiak discuss 928 opportunities for you to get involved in the fight to end human trafficking. How can you leverage your skills and make a difference in your community? This episode shares examples of how Dave used his specific skill set to get involved in anti-trafficking work in partnership with the Global Center for Women and Justice.

GCWJ Director Dr. Sandra Morgan and Board Member Dave Stachowiak discuss an important issue that is often overlooked when working with victims of human trafficking – victims with developmental delays. The Office of Victims of Crime has developed a great resource that examines the issue of working with victims who have intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and the best practices to implement to best serve this population. How are these victims identified? How can the community support these victims? Learn important skills involving listening to language, paying attention to non-verbal communication, and choosing appropriate expectations when working with developmental delays. Listen to this episode and learn more about this important topic.

Rescuing victims is often simplified. If you take the person out of commercial sexual exploitation, there is an assumption and relief that they will be ok, yet it is crucial to understand there is much more to the process than just rescue. Global Center for Women and Justice Director Dr. Sandra Morgan and Board Member Dave Stachowiak discuss in this episode of the Ending Human Trafficking podcast that removing someone from exploitation is only one step in a process called Stages of Change. Stages of Change is a cycle that requires multiple steps that often take years to finally help a survivor establish a successful future. It is not only focused on the external change, but also the internal transition that a CSEC victim experiences. Tune into this episode to learn more about the six steps in the Stages of Change cycle and how to navigate the difficult path of rescue and restoration.

In this episode, GCWJ Director Dr. Sandra Morgan and Board Member Dave Stachowiak continue their discussion of Community Engagement, shifting focus from collaboration to being a voice and making a difference. Dr. Morgan shares insight on the importance of taking time to listen and know your audience before you speak or take action. As leaders in the field, it is important to remain ethical and maintain integrity as we work to end human trafficking and prevent more from being enslaved in our world. When it is time to take action, don’t forget to assess your community and don’t reinvent the wheel! Be aware of your resources and opportunities to join existing organizations in order to impact your community. Tune into this episode to learn more and hear Dr. Morgan’s advice to increase your impact in the fight to end human trafficking.

In this episode of the Ending Human Trafficking Podcast, GCWJ Director Dr. Sandra Morgan, and Board Member Dave Stachowiak discuss an important part of the mission of GCWJ – Study the Issues. When discussion what your role is in the fight to end human trafficking, it is important to be prepared and understand the issue in a way that creates level ground for all participating, or in other words, language matters. It is important to understand what our government laws say and use the same types of terminology in order to support best practice models. This episode is full of resources and tools to help you speak the common language and work towards the prevention of human trafficking.